Crew-8 launch summary: Scroll down for a live stream of Crew-8 liftoff aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center on Sunday, March 3.
Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY’s space team’s live coverage of tonight’s upcoming launch of astronaut Crew-8 from the Kennedy Space Center.
After scrubbing Saturday night, the Crew-8 team is now headed to 10:53 p.m. EST to launch the astronauts’ SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station. The NASA TV broadcast of the launch is posted at the top of this page.
Saturday night’s failed launch attempt was delayed “due to adverse conditions in the flight path of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft,” a NASA blog post said.
“The Crew-8 launch will carry NASA astronauts Matthew Dominique, Michael Barratt and Jeanette Epps, as well as Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, to the orbiting laboratory. Target docking time is around 3am on Tuesday,” the post said.
Update at 11:02 p.m.: The Falcon 9’s first stage booster has just touched down at SpaceX’s Landing Zone 1 at the Space Force Station at Cape Canaveral — generating twin sonic nose booms.
Update at 10:53 p.m.: SpaceX and NASA launched the Falcon 9 rocket with Crew-8 from the Kennedy Space Center.
Update at 22:45: During a briefing 10 minutes before takeoff, it was announced that the crews were confident they understood the problem with the blown hatch seal and believed they could complete the entire mission safely.
Update at 22:38: Shortly after refueling began, an announcement was made: Teams are investigating a small crack in the side hatch seal that could become a problem during atmospheric re-entry.
The countdown to the start continues.
Update at 10:30 p.m.: As a reminder, here’s a list of upcoming key events in the Falcon 9 launch countdown.
- 22:46 Falcon 9 begins engine cooling before launch.
- 22:48 Dragon moves to inner strength.
- 10:52 a.m. Flight computer command to begin final pre-launch checks.
- 10:52 a.m. Fuel tank pressurization to flight pressure begins.
- 10:52 PM SpaceX’s launch director confirms readiness for launch.
- 10:53 a.m. Falcon 9 liftoff.
Update at 22:19: Falcon 9 rocket refueling procedures are now underway at pad 39A and the Dragon spacecraft’s evacuation system has been activated, SpaceX announced.
Update at 10pm: “I have up-to-date weather information. They’ve had another weather briefing – and we’re now 90%,” NASA broadcaster Megan Cruz announced with just over an hour left in tonight’s countdown.
Brevard County emergency management officials have activated the agency’s launch operations support team ahead of the upcoming Falcon 9 launch.
Farewell to Crew-8
Update at 21:44: About two hours ago, FLORIDA TODAY photographer/videographer Craig Bailey took this photo of Crew-8 waving to members of the media in front of NASA’s Neil Armstrong Operations Building and Cashiers.
Update at 21:21: Crews have closed the hatch on the Dragon Endeavor capsule and liftoff is scheduled for two hours and 32 minutes.
Update at 9pm: As a reminder, Crew-8’s Falcon 9 was originally scheduled to lift off to the ISS at 12:04 a.m. Friday. However, strong winds and sea waves along Dragon Endeavor’s flight path forced crews to postpone the mission until Saturday evening.
But that attempt on Saturday night was a failure. The culprit: strong winds along the capsule’s ascent corridor, SpaceX said.
If tonight’s launch attempt fails, the next backup opportunity is Monday at 10:31 p.m.
Update at 20:38: SpaceX said the crew seats had rotated into liftoff position and suit leak checks and communication checks had been completed.
The Dragon Endeavor spacecraft previously flew the Demo-2, Crew-2, Ax-1 and Crew-6 missions to and from the ISS — logging 466 days in orbit, SpaceX said.
Update at 20:15: SpaceX officials have just announced that the chances of a time “launch” have increased from the 75% probability of the original forecast to 85%.
A NASA telecast highlighted a launch forecast that showed precipitation and anvil as the main weather problems.
Update at 20:00: NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission will be the 14th launch so far this year from KSC and the neighboring Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The Space Coast hosted a record 72 orbital launches last year, and this year the pace is faster.
Click here for FLORIDA TODAY’s roundup of January releases.
Click here to see FLORIDA TODAY’s roundup of February releases.
Update at 19:36: Waving and smiling, the robed astronauts of Crew-8 had just emerged from NASA’s Neil Armstrong Operations and Cashiers Building, greeted family and well-wishers, and boarded two black Tesla Model Xs amid cheers for transport to Pad 39A.
The Teslas carry white and black license plates that say YAYSP8C — or “yay space.”
Update at 19:20: Following is NASA’s schedule of “key milestones and critical events” leading up to tonight’s liftoff. All times are approximate:
- 7:33pm The team left the Neil Armstrong Operations and Cashiers Building.
- 19:38 Crew transportation to site 39A.
- 19:58 The crew arrives at the site and climbs the tower.
- 20:18 Entering the crew.
- 20:23 Communication check.
- 20:24 Turning the seats.
- 20:25 Checks for leakage of costumes.
- 20:58 The hatch is closing.
- 10:08 p.m. SpaceX’s launch director checks readiness for fuel loading.
- 22:11 Crew access arm retracts.
- 22:14 Dragon launch system activated.
- 22:18 RP-1 (rocket kerosene) loading begins.
- 22:18 First stage LOX (Liquid Oxygen) loading begins.
- 22:46 Falcon 9 begins engine cooling before launch.
- 22:48 Dragon moves to inner power.
- 10:52 a.m. Flight computer command to begin final pre-launch checks.
- 10:52 a.m. Fuel tank pressurization to flight pressure begins.
- 10:52 PM SpaceX’s launch director confirms readiness for launch.
- 10:53 a.m. Falcon 9 liftoff.
Update at 18:57: Crew-8 dons spacesuits in the “suit room” in NASA’s Neil Armstrong Operations and Cashiers Building.
“A team of SpaceX suit technicians will assist them as they don their custom-made spacesuits and check for leaks. Designed for safety and functionality, the suits provide containment, protecting the crew from potential depressurization, and a port located on the thigh connects to life support systems, including air and power. Also included in the suits are touchscreen-compatible gloves and a flame-resistant outer layer,” according to a NASA blog post.
Crew-8 is:
- NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick, Cmdr.
- NASA astronaut Michael Barratt, pilot.
- NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps, mission specialist.
- Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, mission specialist
For the latest news from Space Force Station Cape Canaveral and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space.
Rick Neal is a space reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, Press here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or [email protected]. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1
Space is important to us, and that’s why we work to bring you the best coverage of Florida’s industry and startups. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it by subscribing here.
